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Muscular Sclerosis Symptoms

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the spinal cord, brain and nerves. The definitive cause of or cure for MS is not known. Research is conducted steadily at institutions across the country to develop treatment programs and find a root cause of the disease. MS affects nearly 350,000 people in the United States. The symptoms vary from patient to patient, but many are consistent with all four types of MS.

  1. Motor Skill Disruption

    • The motor skills are affected by MS and are marked by chronic worsening or as brief attacks followed by recovery periods. Due to the impact of the disease on the CNS, motor skills become impaired. Slurred speech is noticeable in many patients, while others feel the effects of muscle weakness. Paralysis can also result from MS but generally occurs in the later stages of the disease. Patients may have difficulty walking during flare-ups and often require the use of a walking aide such as a cane due or must use a wheel chair to a loss of balance vertigo and a lack of coordination.

    Sensory Symptoms

    • The sensory system feels the effects of MS and presents itself as a feeling of numbness or tingling in arms, legs and feet. This tingling can be accompanied by twitches or jumping of the legs. This symptom is common during the night hours, when the muscles are at rest. Patients may experience facial pain and pain in other areas of the body that are without cause or injury.

    Cognitive Symptoms

    • Patients suffering with MS can also suffer from cognitive disabilities. Depression is common in MS patients, while others may have severe mood swings with or without the depressive states. Less commonly, dementia, a form of memory loss and confusion, may be noted. Fatigue is felt by many patients, which can lead to depression. These symptoms arise due to the lesions on the brain, resulting from MS.

    Other Symptoms

    • MS produces sexual symptoms, such as a loss of sensation or impotence. The bladder and bowel are affected by MS due to loss of control of the organ muscles. Constipation is common, and a loss of bowel control can also occur, although not as frequent among patients as constipation. Bladder problems present as a need to urinate frequently, while often not emptying completely. Incontinence and an urgency to urinate are also bladder symptoms affected by MS.

    Types of MS

    • The symptoms and severity of MS are often related to the type of MS from which a patient is suffering. MS is diagnosed in four different distinctions: relapse remitting, primary progressive, secondary regressive and progressive relapse. During relapse remitting MS, patients experience distinct attacks of symptoms followed by a remission or recovery period. Primary progressive MS is a slow deterioration of neurological functions from the inception of the disease. Secondary progressive MS has a preliminary period of relapsing remission MS but then develops into secondary progressive. Progressive relapsing MS is a continual degeneration of the disease and neurological functions from the onset along with defined attacks.

    Treatment

    • Research has made positive progress in the treatment of MS symptoms, but, as of 2009, a cure eludes researchers. There are several medications available to treat attacks, to control symptoms and attempt to revise the disease course. Copaxone, Avonex and Rebif are accepted medications to treat the symptoms of MS.

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